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BLADE review
One of the most predominate e-mails that I have been recieving is, "_________ sucks so hard.... God I hope BLADE kicks ass!" The trailer seemed to hit that subconcious geek button of coolness. Why are hopes being held up for a Wesley Snipes action flick? I mean it's not like PASSENGER 57 or U.S. MARSHALLS was even close to being great films. So why are there hopes for this one?
Because of Marvel comics, that magical pulp land of true believers and "nuff saids", we (geeks) have been hoping that the curse of Marvel upon celluloid would be lifted. That properties like Fantastic Four, X-Men, Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, The Avengers, etc etc would be released from their hellish developmental nightmares.
But hey, when it comes to releasing a character like Blade... well that's an easier matter all together. Blade isn't my favorite character, hell he was never in my 'likes' category. He was always future fodder in my mind for Morbius. He just never tickled my interest. Until the first trailer for this film. Damn I've been wanting to see this flick, same with a ton of other geeks. That scene where he lands on the center marble platform and the there is that thuderous "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM".... pure geek nirvana. I love that stuff man.
Reviews have been running mainly on the positive side, interspersed with some negative ones. And I could have sworn that Hallenbeck told me it was a piece of shit, but upon talking to him tonight, I found out that... no, he kinda liked it. He loved the first 20 minutes but felt the story really didn't do anything.
Well, yeah, but my entire crew wanted no story and just more of Blade whupping vampire ass. My crew really got into it. There was no need for mood descriptions, this was the type of flick where heads explode on screen, that hands explode, that vampires are cut in half, burnt to a crisp, hit by subways, burnt and all around trashed beyond all compare.
And this is a film that knew it was R-rated, so it had no fear of pouring on the red stuff. These Vampires don't have black blood, green blood, purple blood, no blood, etc. No, these blood suckers bleed the stuff too. What style vampires are these? They're the heroin chic vampires.
There's plenty of gratuitous violence for us heavy breathing psychos out there, no, there is no Traci Lords nudity, but the queen of head does a fantastic head job towards the end. I had fun with this film.
Does it have problems? Yeah, it does. The characters are all underdeveloped. Wesley Snipes is a living statue, but who the hell cares, he's just super badass in this flick. He's the best slicing and dicing product I've seen since those late night Ronco commercials. He'll chop up children, women and men too. He takes off arms, hands, legs, torsos, the whole nine yards. He's a mean ol bastard. And maaaaaaaaaaaan, I want Wesley to play the Black Panther soooooo bad it hurts. He would just whup ass as that character, who is one of my faves.
The problems with this film are minor in the great scope of things cause ultimately the audience applauded afterwards and I had a blast, but just for the next set of hoops let me say this.
In Super-hero flicks, stop putting in helpless brainy women as side-kicks that the heroes just have to keep around. Stop trying to give the good guy too many motivations for killing the enemy or disposing of his enemy. For example, it was completely unnecessary in BATMAN to have the Joker responsible for the deaths of Bruce Wayne's parents. We don't need that, why? Because Bruce Wayne wants Joker behind bars because Joker is a homicidal maniac that may deprive some other child of his parents. He'd beat the crap out of him, just for the smilex in hair care products. He's a good guy, his motivation is HE'S THE GOOD GUY. Does a cop bust a guy for stealing a car because the same criminal stole his car... no. He busts the guy because he stole. That's it. The good guy comes from a higher moral ground. Ya want to mess up the lines a bit, make the heroes and the bad guys exist in that great grey world of right and wrong? Fine. Have the difference be theological, a difference of opinions. Bad guys in Superhero films do not have to create the superhero... ok? This isn't necessary. Stop it!
Note to fans. This is a pretty damn fun movie, but the damn studios are watching it like friggin hawks. There is even a rumor that Fox is watching it with an eye on the coffers for X-MEN. If you like the film, if you enjoy it, take some friends and see it again. For one, gore flicks are few and far between. For two, R-rated superhero flicks are non-existent. For three, it's a fun flick.
How does it compare with JOHN CARPENTER'S VAMPIRES? Well, Carpenter's film is a Western, and this is a Superhero Action film. While both dealing with Vampires they are in fact separate genres. J.C.'s Vampires is more horror than Blade. Blade is kinda like ALIENS and DEATH WISH mixed with a bit of DAWN OF THE DEAD gore and TALES FROM THE CRYPT: DEMONKNIGHT insanity.
For some geeks this film will be nirvana, for me it was a blast. For some... well they won't be able to get past the story problems. Me, I was along for the ride, I was there to see Vampires dying badly. I wanted a fun gore film and that's what I got. There are laserdisc moments that genre fans will love. Some of the CG stuff is a bit too CG, but hey all in all if you just get into the world of this flick, you'll love it. Everyone in the crew enjoyed it.
I hope you do too.
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What excites me most about Blade is that it signals a change in perception of who is really the core audience of some "comic book" properties. Finally, the characters are matching the demographic, rather than making all comic characters kid-friendly. Now that Spawn 2 will also be R-rated, maybe the next Batman movie (Batman Triumphant? Batman and Robin and Batgirl?) will be more mature, at least in tone. As for gore....if this is a hit, look for "Lobo: Let The Carnage Begin" to get green-lit very quickly.
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I liked Blade and so did the audience - they clapped and laughed a lot. I agree with Harry that heros should occupy higher moral ground than villains. But then, what they do in their private lives is their own business.
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I can't get over the people who don't understand why Bruce Wayne's parents' killer was changed from Joe Chill to the Joker for the first film. What are you guys thinking? The whole "who made who" thing is essential in the Batman lore. Don't you guys get it - HE DOESN'T LIKE BEING BATMAN YET!!!! He doesn't quite know how to feel about it - all he knows is he's angry and he thinks he can conquer that anger by catching the bad guys - but in the end, that's not enough. Anyway, you people must realize that for the sake of a FEATURE film Batman must confront the man who murdered his parents. Can you imagine how boring that film would be if Batman pursued Joe friggin' Chill? A cheesy street crook who Bruce Wayne could defeat with no assistance from the bat gadgets? Gimme a break! The only reason people are pissed about that relevation in the first movie is because it rewrites the Batman legend. Get your collective heads out of your collective asses - THE LEGEND NEEDED TO BE REWRITTEN!!! People get so uptight about a story that was written in the 1930's when comics were written for little kids. Well, Bob Kane endorsed the new origin by appearing in the movie so I guess he grew up - NOW WHY DON'T THE REST OF YOU?
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Blade is good....vey good...but I found Vampires to much better...more relentless and a true horror film..vampires grabs you by the balls and does not let go
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As a brainy-girl sidekick type, I at least applaud the change from pneumatic-bimbo sidekick. Someone smart can eventually be useful, or at least understand why the hero does what they do, and so won't stand around whining.
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I just wanted to remind all those cocksucking critics out there(that make it a habit of trashing excellent movies) to leave the movie blade alone. It is people like hallenbeck that ruin a good movie in the making.
My god just listening to these faggot ass critics makes me wanna watch brady bunch reruns. I hope that they don't even review Vampires that film will also be a classic like blade.
In short I just wanted these terrible critics to leave our movies alone. If they dont like it then dont watch it!!!!
I am off to see blade.
Lo Wang is out. -
I haven't seen the movie yet (that's why I'm checking out the reviews) but Harry is dead wrong about ancillary motivation. Batman didn't need the Joker to be his parents' murderer? Need? No. Icing on the cake? You betcha.
Think of it this way: Remember the purse-snatchers that introduced us to the onscreen Batman? They're little creeps huddled on the roof over their take and muttering something about 'the bat.' Yeah, they were bat-meat just cuz they were bad and he's the Good Guy. And it took him 3 seconds to deal with it, no second thoughts, no emotions to keep control over, no INVOLVEMENT. Just another ass-wuppin'.
But when the Dark Knight goes after the Joker, the stakes are already higher cuz he's got the beautiful blonde as a hostage. Things get a little weird and end up climaxing with the emotional blowoff of discovering that they're each responsible for the other.
Necessary? Nah. The little extras that push a movie over the line from being just another good flick to being memorable aren't 'necessary'. Just appreciated - by some. -
I just saw it and the smoke is still emitting from my eyeball sockets. The special effects are great and they didn't overuse them or depend on them. Snipes is the man and N'Bush Wright isn't a useless wimp. They don't pull any stops they deliver the goods 3 or 4 minutes into the picture. Sure it's lite on plot but the audience, including me, ate up the martial arts and the ulta violence. It's been a while since i saw such audience reaction.
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Where's Quint's review???
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Harry hit the nail on the head with the first Batman movie. I thought exactly the same thing when I saw it.
Batman's psychological complexity (such as it is) is rooted in the fact that EVERY bad guy he puts away serves as a surrogate for the one that killed his parents. If he were to actually catch the guy who was originally responsible, then in a sense he would have no more reason to exist. As Darth Vader would say, "the circle would be complete."
Sure, he could go on being a superhero do-gooder, but that's all he would be. The element of revenge, which adds a touch of moral ambiguity to everything Batman does would be ruined.
By the way, I am aware that Batman did eventually find the guy in the comics (Joe Chill, I think it was) but that doesn't make it thematically right. -
You say that in Batman, the Joker shouldn't have killed Wayne's parents. That Batman should have had ample motivation to be after the Joker just because he's evil.
Although this is true, situations like this are trying to blur the edges and keep films out of a black-and-white sense, with know completely pure of heart or evil characters. But hell, it's from a comic book, so i guess your right. -
Blade kicked ass! I loved it.
Punisher was really good
too(even though they didn't put the friggin' skull on his chest!)
I just wish they had tied in some Marvel universe references into Blade. Have a little news clip of the Hulk, or guest star like Dr Strange..
Harry: Traci Lords was only
in the very beginning. THat other
blond throughout the movie was
someone else. In fact, Traci had
dark hair in this movie. I was
disapointed she didn't have a bigger role. (Even more that she didn't show her knockers!)
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I just saw Blade and I couldn't agree more.... kickass flick... of course i have yet to see Vampires, but that doesn't matter... KUDOS TO QUINT! KEEP UP THE KICKASS REVIEWS!
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Well, I just saw Blade today and wanted to chime in with my two cents. WOW! I sense a somewhat hesitant, though positive review from Harry. But I'm all over this movie. This is BY FAR, the best comic book adapted action film I have ever seen. On top of that, I think it ranks right up there with some of the best action/horror films. I haven't walked out of a movie so pleasantly surprised since I saw Contact last year.
First off, I knew it was based on a comic, but I had never read any "Blade" issues so I had no preconceptions. For those of you who said the character development was weak I think you're on crack. You want weak character development go watch that piece of shit "Spawn". That movie gave me the excate OPPOSITE impression of Blade. While Spawn had cheesy, awful acting, terrible writing, and insipid special effects, Blade comes through with inspired cinematography, great direction, and one hell of a story.
The only thing I can compare this to is some of the classic action/horror flicks like RoboCop, Dawn of the Dead, Assault on Precinct 13, and Hard Boiled. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, and the direction is raw. It's one of those rare action movies where the Hollywood bullshit formulas didn't creep in. They throw in all kinds of experimental camera work that I haven't seen since "Natural Born Killers". There's strobe effects, time-lapse, funky steadicam. Unlike most action films this one doesn't feel like it's a Hollywood sellout. I have a feeling someone wasn't paying attention at the studio when they let this gem slip through untarnished by the Hollywood PR hacks. No one edited out the gore, the expiremental camera work, or the solid character elements. THANK GOD! I am so sick of seeing the Ahhnold, Sly, Bruce Willis action formula I want to puke!
My only criticism is that some of the CG is a little distracting. By the time I had seen the exploding, dissolving body shot for the Nth time I was pretty tired of it. And some of the CG blood looked like the stuff from ST: The Undiscovered Country. Other than that this is definintely one of the best flicks I've seen this year. -
"...there is no Traci Lords nudity, but the queen of head does a fantastic head job towards the end."
Um, Traci Lords doesn't do _anything_ in towards the end... she's only in the first scene of the film - she's the brunette who brings the mortal schlep to the "Bloodbath" dance, and she's one of the first vampires Blade kills.
Just, y'know, FYI. -
When is Blade due out here in the UK...I cant wait to see this one!!
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This is meant in no way as a put-down towards the movie, but the best scene of Blade is the very last one, right before the credits start rolling. It's one of those endings that leaves you saying, "Oh, wow, cool! I want more!" I can only hope Vampires has an ending that's as cool.
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Unexpectedly, Blade was the best time I've had at a movie this summer.
The director (I didn't catch his name) deserves much of the credit. Easily this movie could have been put into the wrong hands and turned into a shit sandwhich. This movie was very well directed. This guy is an ARTIST, which is what Hollywood sorely needs. This is the coolest adaptation of a comic book since The Crow. It was also very very sexy and sensual, which is a nice balance to all the superhero stuff going on. Lot's of undertones.
To jump on the BatMan topic...Harry is right. It's complete bullshit on the writer's part. It's so contrived. Like we're supposed to give the writers some credit for some lame imagination. Next, there gonna write that Lex Luthor blew up Krypton, just so we can hear Superman say, "You killed my Father! You Bastard."
Bob Kane was in Batman, yes. Batman was also the most anticipated and hyped movie of the late 80's. Warner Brothers also payed him a gazillion dollars and it put him in the spotlight again.
The truth is I didn't much mind the re-write of Blade's origin.
The performances were fine. Wesley is the coolest that I've ever seen him. Kris Kristofferson was good too and I don't believe his role was a wait. He was a supposrting character and added depth and humanity to the whole crazy thing. The woman was fine too. In fact she wasn't the typical screaming female lead that Harry made her out to be. She was somebody who found herself in an extraordinary situation and didn't chicken out. She was pretty tough. Stephen Dorff was awesome and so was that funny MTV guy. I especially liked seeing that German Actor who used to be in those Andy Warhol horror movies.
As for the idea that the end of the movie suggests an automatic sequel. Bullshit. There may be a sequel or there may not be. But what we do know is that Blade kicks ass. It ended like how a comic book ends. Which is way better than those "How do we explain our hero comming out of retirement" plot devices. At least it wasn't the ending of Godzilla.
Chalk one up for Marvel which is good news for the future of X-Men.
Until Clint Eastwwod decides to do Dark Knight and get's Alex Proyas to direct, make mine Marvel. -
I read a review that seemed really surprised about Snipes giving a good performance. I've heard that a lot in the net, people dissing Snipes' acting. Before discussing it on the web, I felt it a given that Wesley was a top-notch actor. On the web, people call him "stiff" and "dull." I mentioned that to a friend, who stared in disbelief.
For the record, BLADE kicked ass. I loved it, and I loved Snipes. But for him, that was the same thing Al Pacino did in DEVIL'S ADVOCATE. He wasn't giving a good performance, he was having fun, and going over the top. He was playing "Baaaad MF!" and that's basically it. And that's exactly what the role called for.
Snipes is an actor with a lot of subtlety... and what I'm wondering is if my fairer-skinned brothers are catching those subtleties.
I've watched Snipes enough to see that he knows what he's doing, but some people aren't quite as familiar with the subtleties of the African-American culture. There are those, including most of the rap music scene, who would like people to think there are none.
I know this guy can act, no doubt about it. See SUGAR HILL, ONE NIGHT STAND, or MO' BETTER BLUES, and you may see my point. But I also think some of his low-key actions slip under the radar of mainstream America.
In acting, subtleties are important. They are also very different even in cultures that coexist so closely. What do you guys think? -
I went to see Blade on Sat in Times Square (45th and Broadway) and it was PACKED. The line was nearly a block long. They sold out BOTH theatres at 1:00AM! I almost thought there was gonna be a riot when people weren't being let into the theatres on time.
The opening scene was one of the best action scenes I have ever wittnessed PERIOD. My friends and I wanted to leave after that scene for fear the rest of the movie wouldn't be as compelling.
And yes it's true if you are looking for Oscar award winning performances rent charriots of fire. If you want to see what a BIG can of whoop ass looks like then go see BLADE. I thought it was very Anime influenced. All superhero movies should be so good.
Snipes delivers so many ass-whoop-a-grams in this flick I lost track. Call me cynical but I don't think X-Men will be this good. It has too much PG potential.
Paximus -
I would have to say this is one of the best "comic book" movies I've seen. It give the people what they want which is comic style ass kickin'. As a big fan of vampire movies this ne rates near the top as well. It makes a point of claiming that a lot of what people think about vamps is stictly myth (keeping it from getting bogged down and winding up just another vampire movie) and addresses how they would live within the framework of modern life. If you like comics or vampires, go see this film.
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I think Blade was a mixture of those first three elements described: Brutal, smart, cold, sexy (just ask any female). As for Whistler being a white guy who did the tech stuff.. so what? It would have taken away from Blade's vampire hunting time.. it's only logical he have someone else to help him. And plus *SPOILER* when WHistler bit it, Blade was intelligent enough to make his own bullets and other stuff. *END SPOILER*.
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One of the things I find fascinating in a movie is it's ability to assault the senses. The 'bloodbath' scene in Blade, the landing scene in Armageddon, the shooting in Snake Eyes, these type of scenes are one of the major reasons I go see movies.
On this count, Blade is one of the most entertaining movies I've seen this year. Yeah, Armageddon had more emotional moments... Blade basically had none. But as others have said, the overall 'coolness' of the movie just rocks!
The resounding boom and his intense look when Snipes jumps to the temple floor rule. And then when he catches his shades... I couldn't help but shout a 'heeellll yeah!!!' Perfect expressions of the badness of the character.
But enough rambling. If you haven't seen it, do so. It's the best action movie to come along for quite some time in my book. -
Finally, an action movie to get excited about and see a second time in theaters. I was worried by the trailer which made it look over-stylized like "The Replacement Killers"(perhaps the most disappointing experience I have had at the movies all year). But man are the visual tricks kept under control and used to great effect. Snipes is SOOOOOO BAAAAADDDD in this role I can't imagine anyone else doing it. SEE IT NOW!!!
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Just for the record... I am Black and I have been a fan of AICN for over a year now. I don't know if Blade is gonna help open a few doors for some more black action heroes. I am just glad it didn't suck. It could have done more damage being a REALLY bad comic adaptation. -
Blade ruled. There are some silly parts but I was expecting that. www.cinescape.com posted that there are already talks of a sequel. This could be a great franchise IF New Line doesn't do to it what Warner did with Batman.
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Okay, folks. I've posted here quite a few times over this past year. To boot, I've been a fan of this site for almost a year now as well. Not only do I consider myself into the *artsy* type films, a fledgeling screen/comic writer, AND into drama...Tadaaaaaaaa, I'm also black. Normally, on movies with pissy scripts, I walk out. Period. The Crow 2? Walked out in 10 minutes. Aganist popular opinion: HATED ARMEGEDDON and THE ROCK, yet LOVED CRIMSON TIDE and CONTACT. I'm mostly into the cerberal fair, it would seem...
With the exception of Blade. I doubt it'll take out Carpenter's Vampires, simply because Vampires adheres strictly to the vampiristic mythos AND, well, John Carpenter's THE man. *BUT* Blade kicks sooooo much buttocks as to boggle the mind. Story? Nill. Too many plotholes to even begin. Is it a TRUE vampire flick? Hardly. It's action. It's a MARVEL comic---a fairly woven melodrama with GREAT action and enjoyable characters. The story isn't oscar, but it's MUCH better than Spawn(which was an IMAGE comic--and the movie felt like it--crap!) .
Over the top action, a NON JOKING HERO. (read this hollywood: NO ANNOYING ONE-LINERS)---well, save one:
Blade: (to Deacon Frost) By dawn you'll be just another dead vampire.
Damn. Blade was one FINE MOVIE. Folks, the brother speaks Russian. I'm soooooo finished....
As to Black action movies and Wesley's acting..
I couldn't agree more. Wesley WAS having fun with this role. He IS NOT just a statue, and I'm not defending him just because he's black--which is a stupid reason. The man's an actor. Look at Sugar Hill. ANYBODY can see the man was just having fun with the role. He obviously loves comics and Hong Kong cinema(as was evidenced in an interview I'd read on www.mania.com where he said as much), and had a blast with the role. I hope to GOD he doesn't get typecast--but holy s--t was this movie a blast of a movie. Do I want more black super hero movies? Sure, if done right. I don't care what the nationality. I just want more good superhero movies. I'm a claremont X-men fan. Do I want a live action Xmen? Nope. It's a ridiculous idea w/o the proper budget---which it doesn't have. And finally, to give you folks a reference on what I feel are the FINEST comic-book movies of all time are, here's my list, not in order, to see how highly I recommend this movie.
Batman #1
TMNT #1
The Crow#1
Superman (an almagation of the FIRST Part of #1 when he was still in Kansas, and the REAL feeling in Superman #2)
Zorro(Banderas/Hopkins)
Blade.
(and runner up? Batman/superman animated movie by Paul Dini and Co...)
Go see the doggone movie. Twice. I am...!
---The Darkest One -
Sorry about the formatting on that last post. I forgot these POST boards follow a completely different physics than the average word processor!
The DARKEST ONE -
FUCK YOU ALL YOU ALL SHOULD DIE...BLADE WAS THE BOMB...wESLEY SNIPES IS SOOOO HOT....I WANT TO HAVE HOT SEX WITH HIM!!
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How many people do you want to play the black panther ? If you remember your reveiw of amistad, you mentioned Djimon Hounsou, now you say Wesley snipes/....
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Loved the shot in the final set piece, when Blade catches his shades and the camera lingers for just a second as he puts them back on. George Clinton would be proud! ("Lemme put my shades on ...Got to have your shades on if you want to be cool ..." - I think it's from "Motor Booty Affair" - forgive me if I misquoted it).
Re: Snipes' performance ... I think Harry's remark that he's a "living statue" is off the mark. He has a truly broad range, from the conflicted buppie architect in "Jungle Fever" to the hustling homeboy in "White Men Can't Jump" to the reluctant badass in "Demolition Man," he's one of the very few Hollywood actors who can pull off serious drama, snappy comedy, and over-the-top action with equal elan. Of course the character Blade is stiff and repressed - he's a half-vampire who's spent the past thirty years of his life trying to keep his baser instincts in check! The few subtle chinks in Blade's emotional armor that Snipes allows to show through, especially when he *SPOILER*
meets his mother and must dispatch her in the end, are all the more effective for the control he exercises otherwise. Place that subtlety against the gonzo HK-style background of the rest of the movie, and it stands out in bold relief. -
Blade was kickass. I know mr. Spawn-maker was going for the kiddies, but he should see how Blade takes comic adaptation to a higher level :P
Btw, nice toy sculpts, but use better material...
I'm out -
Got your site address in Newsweek....pretty impressive....you are dead on about Blade....excellent movie as long as you arent looking to be wrapped in a super complicated plot...As a side note.....does your crew get into internet games?
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I was so damn impressed with this movie. It was everything SPAWN should have been but wasn't. This movie just takes off and as long as you are aware its a comic book you'll be fine. Logic takes a back seat, but the plot was pretty good overall. Although the "blood god" wasn't quite as cool as I thought it would be. When Blade snatches his glasses from the air and brings the sword down and that music kicks in and he starts kicking ass...oh man! If you liked "Dusk Till Dawn" and "Evil Dead" and "Demon Knight" you'll dig this one!
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What in the hell did Blade mean when he said (paraphrasing)
"Some mother fu**ers never learn they can't ice skate up hill."
It sounded totally stupid and seems like it should reference something from earlier. Any ideas? -
to the person who said there weren't any annoying one-liners, except, and who quoted it as being "by dawn you'll just be another dead vampire", that was wrong. Blade said: "You're nothing to me but another dead vampire" in reference to Frost wanting Blade to join him. I thought that line was pretty fucking cool, though they should have let the scene go silent after that for a few seconds to let it impact more. Nevertheless, I think it was pretty badass.
crannman -
I don't think the ice-skating uphill comment was in reference to anything earlier in the movie, just a way of saying "people never learn.".
crannman -
Blade was all in all a damn fun movie,the opening is the coolest "meet the hero" scene since that pit battle in Army Of Darkness. The way this film created a universe built into our own was a little different from the usual off-kilter realities that most comic book movies have.I must say that it reminded me of Night Stalker(anybody besides Chris Carter remember that show?).
But what almosts ruins this movie is the idiotic way in which Deacon Frost dies,I mean could we have thought up a stupider looking death than that, probably not. Blade should have just taken off his head with that sword
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First, I have to say that I am a big MARVEL COMICS fan. And I don't think that a movie on the Black Panther woulb be a so great idea. I mean, the Panther is neat and all, but what will be the story? A young african prince who defends his country and later joins the Avengers? Naahhh! Stick with a hero who has a story and a vilain to kill like Superman/Doomsday, Daredevil/Kingpin, X-Men/Magneto or Fantastic Four/Dr. Doom.
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I think he just meant taht when you're ice-skating, you're normally on ice, and when you're on ice, it's pretty tough to climb on a sliding surface. No matter how many times you try, you'll never be able to climb.
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I am a big comic book fan. When I was younger, I was very much into Marvel Comics. I once possessed the complete
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This site rulz!! I'm not a hard core movie fan but, this site has the most up to date news on the web!!
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Harry,
I agree totally with your observation about the Joker - Bruce Wayne's parents murder connection. Think of L.A. Confidential. That movie did it right. Exely (sp?) envisioned his father's murderer as the ones that think they can get away with it, and only by catching all the criminals, can he avenge his fathers death. Wouldn't it have sucked if they attacked that hollywood hack type ending having Capt. Smith kill Exely's father and the young guy getting revenge. -
I walk out of movies. Blade's plot was TERRIBLE. The plan was ulitmate plan of frost was stupid. The city of LA where the movies seemed to take place---NEVER REACTED TO ANYTHING. There were holes enough in this movie to be ordained---BUT, this movie was a popcorn ride. Unlike, say, Godzilla, which was an obvious rip-off of JP, Blade had well done HK action and something original. A kick ass lead black character that didn't spout a ton of useless one-liners. (Note to Crannman: You were right. Sorry. My quote WAS wrong!).
Normally I don't say dismiss a movies plot. But in this RARE case---- -
For anyone out there who wants to have fun, Go See It. Don't walk. Run. This movie has such an awesome opening scene you want to leave the theatre and start slicing someone up. The techno-industrial music rips through you like shrapnel, and is a perfect background sound for Snipes' character. This movie leaves you wanting more. I LOVED the fight scenes. Best ones I've seen in five years. See it.
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I can concede to many of the points raised in the 'Blade' review, but let's talk about what really counts: is the story good, and is the movie entertaining? This is a no on two counts, and looking at the ratings I can only assume that those voting haven't seen the movie. Before I'm chastised, I was the first to criticise Micheal Keaton as Batman, and mount a full scale war on the production of Watchmen. I know my comics and their importance in the cinema world. Blade only contributes to the idea that no decent film can be made of a comic. The story has holes (spoiler); why does Blades love interest even decide to stay with Blade? Why does he decide to burn Dorff's right hand man? Why do they keep Blade's mother? Why is it that when he drinks the blood of his woman, he gets strong? I don't know. And that's exactly why this movie is wrong; because it doesn't satisfy any sort of intelligent storyline, and most importantly, it attempts to cash in by suggesting a franchise, which disgusts me in the same way comics have chosen to provide chromium covers and death as a means of boosting sales. For everyone who is going to see it, I'm sorry you got had. For those who think Blade is a credible story, I respectfully request that you advise anyone visiting ain't it cool.
All contrary email is welcome. -
After reading all these wonderful commentaries I broke down and saw blade last night..Sorry people adrien is right...this movie is a stinker...It takes a lot more then a one dimensional scowl to portray a tuff guy image...after about the fifth kung fu fight i was ready for zzzzzzzzzzzz.my audience reaction was bad too alot of jeers and " OH C'MONS" This film started promising and sunk fast..by the way on aug 9 in toronto i saw vampires and it is much much better then blade why? because the action is story driven and woods delivers the goods.the vampires are truly scary not surly punks with scruffy hair...carpenter knows how to set up frightening images in context of a good story..not so with blade
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If a movie gets the kind of almost unanimous response that _Blade_ has gotten, it's usually the second week that people start trying to attack it. Why? Like one guy said: he "broke down" and saw it. With reviews like Blade got, people decide to go and see it knowing they won't like it, or their expectations get pushed too high. Sometimes, they're headhunting, looking to knock it off its perch. Exceedingly enthusiastic positive reviews tend to polarize people who would have been borderline to begin with. It doesn't make the points any less valid. I'm sure those who wanted to see it in the first week were biased in favor of the movie, but that is the more honest response. The first-week people is who movies like _Blade_ are meant for. It ain't meant for the Academy's consideration, folks. P.S. I'm sure there are people who would now say _The Avengers_ was not as bad as they heard it was. If it was worth it to pay their money and find out.
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Well, I figured I might as well throw in my opinion. Being an avid comic book geek, but never a huge Blade fan,(I like that Nightstalkers or whatever series though.) I was looking forward to seeing this. After seeing the trailer, it just looked like one of the most kick-ass comic book adaptions ever.
So, I set off to see it like, the second day it was out. Being 14, and seing as how here in Canada Blade's rated 18A (which is worse than R.) I had to sneak in. And very unfortunately, for the first time ever, I was caught. So I left. Then the next night, I went again. And was kicked out again, by the same asshole. I went a 3rd time to a different theatre. I was kicked out AGAIN. I was getting pretty pissed off, cause I wanted to see Blade.
Finally, last night, I managed to get in. And boy, did this movie kick ass. It may not have been true to the comic, but, c'mon, it rocked. That opening scene in the dance club with the blood pouring out of the sprinkler system kicked some serious ass. And Wesley Snipes was great as Blade. He wasn't a walking staute, but obviously wasn't giving a memorable oscar performance, as many have said. But he was the perfect Blade.
On someone's earlier comment on how the white guy had to make the weapons; why does it matter? I would have bought it if it was a black guy too. It isn't bad to make one guy white; why does it matter either way as long as they're good? Kristofferson was really good as Whistler. And to someone else, who asked why Blade could remember his mother's face, if she died right when he was born, if you remember when that doctor wakes up and begins looking around she picks up an id and looks at it, and it's Blade's Mother's, so he obviously knows from that picture.
My only gripes with the film was the previously mentioned fact that no one seemed to give a rat's ass about what was going on. Not only when the little girl was chucked into the thing, but when she was right in front of the bus (you think the bus might stop too), and then once Blade saved her, and people just continued walking on the sidewalk by them, but how no one got the least bit suspicious at Blade, walking around in his body armor with a giant sword sticking out of his back. You think somebody might be suspicious....
Anyways, it may not have been true to the comic, but it wwas definetly a kick-ass movie. I know I'll be sneaking into it at least once more.
-=-JSamson -
My brother and I saw Blade last night. A lot of the big name movie reviewers panned this film, but I decided to see it based on the review it got at AICN, and I am really glad I did. This is a top shelf kick ass action film. I also think this is the best comics adaptation since the Crow. It has been influenced by HK martial arts movies, not a bad thing. The plot had some problems, but this is an Action film. I believe that action films work when they greatly excite you and have you cheering for the good guy( or good gal). The 'bloodbath' scene is one of the best opening segments for any film of this kind. The fight scenes were numerous and beautifully designed.
I did not go for serious emotional drama or a deep plot that caused you to ponder your own life's work (like Pvt. Ryan). I went to see a pissed off bad ass(of the highest order) get off by dispatching blood suckers using various violent, painful methods; he delivered the goods big time here. The audience was loud and racous during the fight scenes; the majority enjoyed the film greatly. I did also and will tell my friends to see it. I wonder what films the critics were watching when they panned Blade. As an action film and as a comics adaptation it delivers. I hope they make a good sequel. -
Does anyone know what other movies Steven Norrington has directed? I loved Blade and have also become a fan of Death Machine. Just wondering if there is anything else I should check out.
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GOD DAMMIT!!! I CAME HERE TO READ HARRY'S REVIEW, NOT QUINN'S!!! QUINN'S REVIEWS ARE POORLY WRITTEN AND STUPID. STOP IT, QUINN!
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Overall I thought this movie kicked ass left, right and center. The action scenes were phenomenal, the cinematography was amazing, and the overall flow of the movie was near-perfect. The story was just enough to support the action. Normally I'm there for the story and the acting. But the right kind of action movie is an exception, and this is it in spades. To respond to a couple of criticisms of the story, Karnaj- While there were certainly plot holes they weren't as bad as you've assumed. There were more than 12 vamp hostages in the temple. You'll notice that the twelve are all placed before the blonde kills the one guy- and he's just standing next to one of the guys who *is* on a rune. He was a spare, effectively. As for the age of the temple, I agree, but the movie never claims the vampires live for centuries. It just says they live longer. and specifically implies that they aren't immortal, which gives the temple some more credibility.
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For everyone that didn't like Frost's death- I read an interview with Snipes last week where he talked about the last fight. In the original version, after Blade cuts off Frost's arm Frost actually fully transforms into the Blood God- a completely CGI monster. The audience hated it (big shock). I imagine it looked just as bad as the death, but for longer, and with Snipes having to pretend to fight it. Ugh. In addition, the movie sets us (and Blade) up to hate Frost, not to give a damn about the Blood God. So they changed the ending and had him fight Frost all the way. Works for me. Could have been an Alien 4... (shudder)
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Well I did see Blade, and it was all and all ok. I badly wanted to see it cause there was nothing better showing, and I wasn't disappointed. Decent action scenes, good special effects, and the plot was at least palatable. It wasn't John Woo, but it was still pretty good actionwise. I've never been a fan of comic book movies, and I only read DC:Vertigo for the most part. But I finally was assured that a decent comic book movie could be made. Anyone ever seen Fantastic Four: The Movie? Course you didn't, because it was SO awful it never went to the screen OR home video. It was made and then trashed. So hats off to the makers of Blade on this one.
Secondly, I disagree about Batman. The whole "killed the parents" thing makes it personal, and personal storylines are much better than just chasing down villians because the hero finds himself in conflict between duty and revenge. I think that conflict was what set Batman aside from most comic book movies. An extra plot incentive. Not really a NEW concept, but a strong one indeed. -
The first 20 mins of this film are just f_ing amazing - 9+!!! The whole beginig scene in the slaughter house was soooooo sexy! Look if even one person, one person reads this and goes to see the first 20 mins of this film I would leave satisfied (the rest of the movie is ---eh). If you had ever been to a nightclub, and ever wanted to be vicked and ever wanteed to whoop serious ass - the first scene - will let you feel like...an evil techno marshall arts psycopath god! AHHHhhh.....
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I don't know, but maybe its a reference to the scene in batman and robin (bleh bleh bleh) where they , well, skate uphill. and of course the movie sucked
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Okay, this movie was eye-candy at its finest. Best comic-adaptation ever, period. Plot holes, quit being picky. Be glad this film was made. It was violent, fun, and non-hollywood. Why non-hollywood, well Steven Dorff would have cut his sidekick's hand off instead of kidding around if this was a hollywood piece. Props to New Line for going all out instead of turning this into another Mortal Kombat movie. To the person who brought up the racial issue (what the hell...), shut-up!!! Three points to make on this one: 1. Who cares who's white and who's black in this movie; apparently not the filmmakers. Why? Because THEY never brought it up and they just put WHOEVER into WHATEVER roles. I thought it was amazing that they left the whole issue out completely (and not put the undertone that the aforementioned post stated) 2. Blade kicked everyone's ass without discrimination (example: he saves an Asian girl and beats the crap out of several African-American men AND women, including his mom. 3. Does it matter anyway? I for one didn't pay attention to the skin color of anyone. If anything, this film showed that in their world, people were people; regardless. There were no stereotypes and no references at all as to color. Watch it again and see what I'm talking about. Look at the interaction of all the characters in this movie. They were racially diverse and they all interacted with each other like nothin' was nothin'. A good model for the real society to pick up on. And hey, an all around kick ass flick; one of the 4 best this summer. And also, as for the complaints about nobody noticing anything (referring to all the by-standers in the streets), Come on. That was a great and rare back drop/setting for a movie. Worked for me. The reason I think is because every other movies have cheesy extras without acting ability have stupid looks on thier face when something happens around them. I liked this setting, it was effective in its own way. People don't give a shit. One last comment; if you want to gripe about undertones, how come no one has mentioned Drew Barrymore's consistant plug of Communism throughout Ever After? Anywhere?
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Sequels (and I pray for one to this movie) can fill plot holes for the whiney action film-goer. Screw it though, it was a great movie and who the hell cares if non of the inconsistancies are explained. Just hope the next one's story is more developed.
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This was a Wesley ad-lib. It simply means some people are alway struggling to win, never understanding how pointless and ineffective their actions are. Actually the line came out of early conversations when Wesley used the phrase in relation to a real world person! And with regard to people reacting in the world of Blade, this was adeliberate choice -- in comics superheroes and villains exist alongside normal people without remark. And if you watch the film again, you'll see that people do react to wesley's gun play in the street, or the action in the park. We just don't make a big Marvel Universe. Trivia tidbit: there was a scene (deleted by the studio for running time) that showed Deacon Frost tapping blood from comatose donors suspended in an outsized refrigerator in his kitchen. This he explained was a pilot program -- when the Blood Tide came, the vampires would set up concentration camps and feed themselves that way, like humans use cattle. But the scene got cut, the Blood Tide was changed to the Blood God and this particular plot hole is forever enshrined in movie history...
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Finally saw this over the weekend, and I had a mixed reaction to it. As a "comic book" film, I thought it was okay (certainly better than BATMAN AND ROBIN). But I'm not quite the gore-meister that others are, so I found that aspect over-the-top. Still, it was okay. The thing that I did find interesting was that Blade, though sexually chaste was very sexy (okay, so I'm one female that finds Snipes very so), the vampires were sexually decadent and singularly UNappealing. Yuck. The female side-kick for Blade is neither dumb, nor (aside from their first meeting) in constant need of rescuing - she even contributes in a major way to the victory. I have some minor quibbles with the filmmaking - majorly, where did they find an east-facing beach in LA? It don't exist! You'd have to be on an off shore island to watch the sun come up over water, and even then you'd be able to see the shoreline of the mainland.
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I have red most of the reviews for Blade in the talk back section and it seems to me that everyone missed one major flaw with the supposed motives of the band of vampires. If everyone on the planet becomes a vampire, on what will they feed?
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Well, you're right, I did sort of miss that point. But in the mess of so many other gaps, it didn't stand out particularly. After all, it would take them a while to dine on the rest of the planet. One gap that bothered me was it was never elaborated what the REAL significance was between the "born vampire" and the "made" one. They keep talking like its a big deal, but it's never paid off. Likewise Frost's endeavors to translate the scrolls. Presumably they were written in the vampires' native language (which we hear them speaking at various points), yet that one born-vampire tells Frost that he's wasting his time trying to translate them. Why? Frost speaks the language too (we hear him do so). It's a failure in the storytelling. But since it's usual for movie versions of comics to go for apocolypitc stakes in the script (as in, "the world will end if we don't blah, blah, blah"), that's when such problems come in.
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I haven't seen Blade yet, and I'm trying to decide whether or not I should fork over the cash to do so. However, I'm reading some stuff here that cheeses me off to no end. First, anyone who goes into a movie that is obviously action-based and secondly, based on something fantastical besides, you're going to get two things: Something to laugh at and something to have fun with. Everyone who goes in looking for a plot will be disappointed. Everyone who goes in looking for gritty realism, well, it's a damn vampire movie for chrissakes.
You are the same people who poo-poo'ed True Lies, which I think is one of the funnier movies I've seen spoofing the spy genre. Hell yeah the missle/terrorist thing at the end was total BS, but it made me laugh - because I had the appropriate attitude entering the flick. In essence, if you can appreciate the point for which the movie was made, don't go see it. You want a plot - see Terms of Endearment or On Golden Pond or Saving Private Ryan. You want a campy, fun, kick ass movie, see True Lies, or as it sounds, Blade. The last thing I want when seeing a movie like that is realism. Shit, I get enough of that in day to day life.
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In essence, if you CAN'T appreciate the point for which a movie was made, don't go see it.
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I think if you don't like Blade, then you suck cock and you should die. That includes Harry. Fuck all of you that don't like Blade. No one can challenge my opinion.
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I saw Blade a couple of days ago. When I initially decided on seeing the movie, I must say that it was the nifty trailer that lured me in. I have read a few Blade comics in the '70s, but I was never a big fan.
After seeing the movie, I am now a Blade convert. This movie sparred nothing and having the "r" rating allowed the comic to translate well to the screen without being sanitized for the weak of heart. This is a movie about a bad-ass vampire slayer, and by God... that's what we get.
The special effects were fun (exploding heads, bodies...etc), the way Blade moved (superhuman leaps, throws and heart rending punches.. also that killer landing with the resounding BOOM) totally left a grin on my face.
Cool fights, blood and laughs.
Fun flick, go see it. Go MARVEL!
and here come the X_MEN!!!!!!! -
Ahhhhhhh. Blade is like a breath of fresh air.
After a series of movies trying to be everything to everyone (and failing miserably) Blade managed to come in and be very good at being exactly what it was--a super fun summer flick. Wesley Snipes did a great job as the Superhero. He didn't try to babyface the fact that this is a killer, who just happens to be on the side of the humans. Stephen Dorff was razor sharp as the Enemy. There was no mushy attempt at making Dorff's Frost a sympathetic character, he was a killer with ambitions of being a god.
Happily the film left the funny stuff to the side characters, such as the wonderful Donal "I'm going to be a naughty vampire god" Logue.
Yes, the movie is not a great film. It is great fun. It has some slightly cheesy CGI work but the fight scenes are well choreographed and the overall tone of the movie is thrilling. -
What can I say? A comic book film that gets it right! True to the character, a good story, a good time! Like Superman one and two, the first Batman, and the Mask, it got superheroes right!
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I don't know about that. The idea that the American WASP is on the lighter side of the culture warp, making him clueless, I don't buy that. I didn't see Snipe's portrayal as dull, or stiff. I saw it as pensive, taught, restrained. This is a guy who is a loner, constantly keeping under control a dark side that he is dependent on as a weapon in his war against the undead. So he would come across as cold to those who didn't know him.
Those who want to see an over the top in your face Snipes, check out Demolition Man. Snipes plays Simon Phoenix, a criminal from the late 20th century thawed out in the 21st. Ruthless, sarcastic, bombastic, he terrorizes San Angeles, a future world overrun by the pussyfying effects of PC and right wing goody goody. Check it out, it's alot of fun. And Mr. Snipes' performance is terrific. -
I can't believe I forgot the first Crow movie, but it DEFINITELY counts. And Robocop. Not based on an established four color fellon fighter, but it kicked ass in the way a good comic flick should. Hollywood, I hope you are taking notes.
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The FIRST Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle flick! Excellent! The second SUCKED soooooo much, I felt like I had been kicked out an airlock without a space suit! The third was ho-hum.
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Hey. American audiences didn't make David Hasselhoff a singing sensation, pal.
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Some of you are right, the first twenty kicked ass but the rest of the movie was crap. Who needs a poorly contructed plot? Give us what we paid for, one ridiculously bloody action scene after another. How many creative ways can you slaughter a vampire?
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Hi, sorry if I am a bit late with my positive comments about this film as it came out only this week in my country (Belgium).
I just wanna say this : Since Jesus Christ there has never been such a cool guy like Blade (alias Wesley Snipes)! I've to admit he is for the moment the coolest! -
Blade has only just been released here in the UK and it kicks some serious vampire ass.
The soundtrack is f**king wicked and the opening sequence in the abortoire is just THE BEST!!
I hope they make a sequel so I can play a horny vampire and suck Deacon Frost's dick all day {provided someone scrapes him off the floor first obviously}. -
I know im gonna regret posting this because mostly all of u seemed to REALLY like Blade and i didnt--and u guys are pretty zealous with ur opinions when it comes to movies...BUT i feel i should say it anyway: i like a good action flick as much as the next person i guess, but i didnt feel Blade met with my expectations at all--sure Wesley is the man, Steven is hot, and the special effects rocked, but when the story is boring, the writing terrible, and the characters way underdeveloped, it just doesnt hold my interest. i can respect any movie where you know the character is gonna die just cuz he coughs! (the old friend guy..dont remember the name). Truth is, i could barely sit through it, but i wanted to know what happened. But this is JUST MY OPINION!! DONT KILL ME PLEASE!! there, now ive had my rant, have a nice day.
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Wesley Snipes is the man! Well, kind of.I hope there is a sequel this year.The action in this movie was great, especially the opening scene in the bloodbath dance joint.Wesley kicked some serious vampire ass!!
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Kris Kristofferson is a Sex God, and he was the only thing worth gazing at. He's like "beer in the morning" hot.
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